RURAL AUSTRALIA DESERVE CERTAINITY IN DROUGHT FUNDING

Posted by Joel Fitzgibbon257.20sc on July 16, 2014

Labor is calling on the Abbott Government to immediately rule out more cuts to drought concessional loan funding following the Treasurer’s announcement today that he is looking for more cuts to rescue his shambolic Budget.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has refused on several occasions to guarantee that: 1. The $40 million he took from Labor’s farm concessional loan scheme would be returned as he originally promised. 2. The other $40 million he hasn’t spent last financial year for his own drought concessional loan scheme will be rolled over into this financial year.

Joe Hockey’s arrogant threats to hurt Australians more won’t hide the fact that he has failed to get his unfair Budget through the Parliament.

Bill Shorten and Labor will fight this Budget because it is unfair and based on lies to the Australian people.

Now, if the Senate chooses to block savings initiatives, then we need to look at other savings initiatives that may not require legislation and I would ask the Greens and the Labor Party who between them hold 35 votes on the floor of the Senate - to understand that there are alternatives for a Government.